Betsy Brown Braun

Child Development and Behavior Specialist. Parent Educator. Best Selling Author

Communication

It’s Just A Sip

by on , under Adolescents, Communication, Elementary School Children, Environmental influences, Parent modeling, Parenting

(First published in 2010) The journey of raising a teen is fraught with challenges.  Not only is his natural development tricky, but a teen’s world is filled with societal influences of all kinds, alcohol being just one. Alcohol is on everyone’s minds:  Tweens and teens want to try it, and parents want to keep it away. It is a concern at every turn. And while there is much to consider when it comes to teens and alcohol, parents remain tremendously influential in the choices their kids will … [Read more...] about It’s Just A Sip

Should You Discipline Someone Else’s Child….Revised

by on , under Behavior, Communication, Discipline, Environmental influences, Parent modeling, Parenting, Relationships

It’s hard enough to raise your own child—teaching him the rules of the road, guiding him as he learns how to “play nicely”—but what happens when a child who is not yours is in need of some pointed guidance (a swift kick in the pants!)? You’re having a playdate, and the guest grabs a toy (your child’s favorite Thomas car) out of your child’s hands.  The grabber’s mom observes without reaction. You’re at the park, and a girl you don’t know throws sand at your child. The sand thrower’s mom is … [Read more...] about Should You Discipline Someone Else’s Child….Revised

How to Talk About Homelessness

by on , under Adolescents, Communication, Environmental influences, Parent modeling, Parenting, Safety, Sensitive Topics

With ever increasing numbers of homeless in our cities, it is not surprising that young children are asking questions. Whether it is someone in the street asking each car for money, someone pushing a cart overflowing with possessions, or a person forlornly propped up against a building, children notice anything that is different (as do we all, frankly). They work hard to understand and make sense of the world they encounter. As they grow and mature, more of the world comes into focus and is … [Read more...] about How to Talk About Homelessness

Redirecting the Holiday Gimmes

by on , under Brat-Proofing, Character traits, Communication, Expectations, Holidays, Parenting, Toddlers

Sugar Plum fairies and fa la la la la are not the only things that come with the winter holidays. So does a parent’s worst fear that she has raised the spoiled child she swore she would never have. At no other time of year do the cries of “Gimme Gimme!” echo so loudly across our land. A case of the gimmes is not limited to the well-off. Parents across a wide range of incomes are plagued by concerns that they are raising a spoiled, ungrateful child.  But here’s the truth of the matter:  having … [Read more...] about Redirecting the Holiday Gimmes

Hurrying is the Enemy

by on , under Behavior, Child development, Communication, Expectations, Parenting, Relationships, Toddlers, Transitions

The outing to Starbucks with our two year old grandtoddler was perfect. Not a glitch.   No screaming, no crying, no collapsing into a heap, no refusal to walk, no running into the street, no running away.   And not one single tantrum.  The joys of being a grandparent.  Admittedly, the walk which usually takes 15 minutes each way, took two hours. But it came off without a hitch. Why? I am no special grandparent.  I have no tricks up my sleeve.  (Ok. Well, maybe a few.) But what I do know is … [Read more...] about Hurrying is the Enemy

The After-Burn of Starting School

by on , under Adolescents, Behavior, Brat-Proofing, Communication, Elementary School Children, Expectations, Parenting, School, Transitions

Summer time, and the livin’ is [was] easy, as the song goes. And there it went! There can be a whole lot more to starting school than starting school. Whether a child is beginning preschool, third grade, middle or high school, after a long summer or just an extended period at home, starting a school or going back to school is a big change and a big deal.  It reverberates the most when the child is not actually at school. After a full day of changing classes, lining up,  raising hands, … [Read more...] about The After-Burn of Starting School

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